Tonelli hits dream winner on for Napoli
AFP
AFP, MILAN: Luca Tonelli completed a dream debut for Napoli by hitting a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 defeat of ten-man Sampdoria on Saturday that closed the gap on Serie A leaders Juventus to four points.
Napoli looked to be heading for only a share of the points at the San Paolo stadium when Manolo Gabiadini came off the bench to hit a late leveller after Elseid Hysajs own goal gave a dogged Samp a surprise 1-0 lead on the half hour.
But Tonelli, making his first start for Napoli since arriving from Empoli six months ago amid the absence of Algerian Faouzi Ghoulam at the Africa Cup of Nations, sparked wild celebrations in the fifth minute of added-on time when he fired Ivan Strinics cutback from the left past keeper Christian Puggioni and into the roof of the net.
Napolis 11th win of the season closed the gap on Juventus, who host Bologna on Sunday, to four points although the champions will also have a game in hand following their recent commitments in the Italian Super Cup final, which they lost to AC Milan in Doha.
When I saw the ball come to me, all I thought was I have to score, Tonelli told Sky Sport.
Ive had to work hard to get over some physical problems in recent months but I was ready. We showed tonight that we never give up. We came away with a deserved three points.
Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero, meanwhile, was furious with what he said was slack refereeing following the sending off of Matias Silvestre for a foul on keeper Pepe Reina on the hour.
I want the referee (Marco) Di Bello to hold up his hands. And to get sanctioned by the federation. Silvestres sending off was wrong, he didnt touch Reina, said Ferrero. And Napoli were offside at least eight times! Come on, weve had enough. And why, ask me, was there five minutes added on at the end?
Napoli dominated throughout a tactical but entertaining encounter but after a rooted Pepe Reina saw Ricky Alvarezs free kick shave post and crossbar, Patrick Schick got past his marker on the right to deliver a cross that came off the chest of Hysaj and into the Napoli net for Samps opener. Sampdoria striker Luis Muriel replaced Fabio Quagliarella shortly after the restart and was a constant thorn in the side of the Napoli defence.
The visitors, however, were stunned when Silvestre, who earned a caution earlier, saw red for obstructing Reina on the hour, although it took Napoli some time to capitalise on their advantage.
On 68 minutes Mertens spurned a great chance for the leveller when he hit wide from Callejons delivery and the Belgian came close soon after with a header that crept wide.
Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri introduced Gabbiadini for Jorginho with 19 minutes left and was rewarded soon after when the lanky striker tapped home Callejons cut-back from close range after a Insignes long ball over the defence.
It gave Napoli momentum, but it took the hosts until six minutes from time for their next real chance, Gabbiadinis angled strike from Insignes smart nod-down finding the legs of Puggioni at the near post.
But the hosts kept up the pressure and were rewarded when Tonelli arrived just in time to meet Strinics superb cutback with a confident strike. Earlier a late penalty from veteran striker Massimo Maccarone condemned struggling Palermo to a 1-0 defeat at Empoli.
Palermo coach Eugenio Corini is the clubs third this season having been appointed to help stave off the growing threat of relegation.
But three weeks after a dramatic 4-3 win at Genoa ended a run of nine consecutive defeats, the Sicilians sunk to a 13th defeat of the season that keeps them third from bottom and now seven points behind Empoli, who sit fourth from bottom.
